A CHILDREN'S play area is back in shape again after supporters rallied round following a sickening vandal attack in which broken glass was thrown into the sandpit.

The vandals, who struck during the Easter holidays, also damaged a new playhouse.

But Atherstone Early Years Centre was inundated with offers of help afterwards and now a recent donation of £500 means the playground will be even better than before.

Helen Hurst, who runs the centre in Kings Avenue, Atherstone, said: "We all felt really down after the attack. But within a couple of days our spirits were soaring.

"We had grandparents coming in offering money and the whole community rallied.

"It is so nice to know that the community cares about this facility."

The centre was only opened last year, at a cost of £1.7million.

The 12-room complex features nursery rooms, offices, a kitchen, training rooms, toy rooms and a library.

More than 300 children from across the Atherstone area - from babies to 11-year-olds - are registered at the centre, which provides nursery and care facilities, a holiday club, creche and parental advice services.

Of the repairs, Mrs Hurst said: "We had to have the sandpit emptied and refilled and the company which installed the playhouse offered to put in another one.

"We were all very upset when the vandals struck, but local businesses and the community have been wonderful in their support."

The latest donation has come from staff at 3M, in Atherstone, who handed over £500 which is being put towards new garden furniture and a pergola.

Mrs Hurst said: "3M offered to replace everything that was damaged, but that has been taken care of and so we have used the money to buy garden equipment for which parents have been fundraising for some time."

Bob Chetwynd, of 3M, one of the largest employers in Atherstone, said: "The centre provides a very valuable service to the Atherstone community and it was such a shame that it suffered from mindless damage in this way.